Head-up display using an inclined Al2O3 column array.

An orderly inclined Al2O3 column array was fabricated by atomic layer deposition and sequential electron beam evaporation using a hollow nanosphere template. The transmittance spectra at various angles of incidence were obtained through the use of a Perkin-Elmer Lambda 900 UV/VIS/NIR spectrometer. The inclined column array could display the image information through a scattering mechanism and was transparent at high viewing angles along the deposition plane. This characteristic of the inclined column array gives it potential for applications in head-up displays in the automotive industry.

Conductive and transparent multilayer films for low-temperature TiO2/Ag/SiO2 electrodes by E-beam evaporation with IAD.

Conductive and transparent multilayer thin films consisting of three alternating layers (TiO2/Ag/SiO2, TAS) have been fabricated for applications as transparent conducting oxides. Metal oxide and metal layers were prepared by electron-beam evaporation with ion-assisted deposition, and the optical and electrical properties of the resulting films as well as their energy bounding characteristics and microstructures were carefully investigated. The optical properties of the obtained TAS material were compared with those of well-known transparent metal oxide glasses such as ZnO/Ag/ZnO, TiO2/Ag/TiO2, ZnO/Cu/ZnO, and ZnO/Al/ZnO. The weathering resistance of the TAS film was improved by using a protective SiO2 film as the uppermost layer. The transmittance spectra and sheet resistance of the material were carefully measured and analyzed as a function of the layer thickness. By properly adjusting the thickness of the metal and dielectric films, a low sheet resistance of 6.5 ohm/sq and a high average transmittance of over 89% in the 400 to 700 nm wavelength regions were achieved. We found that the Ag layer played a significant role in determining the optical and electrical properties of this film.

The sub-micron hole array in sapphire produced by inductively-coupled plasma reactive ion etching.

The sub-micron hole array in a sapphire substrate was fabricated by using nanosphere lithography (NSL) combined with inductively-coupled-plasma reactive ion etching (ICP-RIE) technique. Polystyrene nanospheres of about 600 nm diameter were self-assembled on c-plane sapphire substrates by the spin-coating method. The diameter of polystyrene nanosphere was modified by using oxygen plasma in ICP-RIE system. The size of nanosphere modified by oxygen plasma was varied from 550 to 450 nm with different etching times from 15 to 35 s. The chromium thin film of 100 nm thick was then deposited on the shrunk nanospheres on the substrate by electron-beam evaporation system. The honeycomb type chromium mask can be obtained on the sapphire substrate after the polystyrene nanospheres were removed. The substrate was further etched in two sets of chlorine/Argon and boron trichloride/Argon mixture gases at constant pressure of 50 mTorr in ICP-RIE processes. The 400 nm hole array in diameter can be successfully produced under suitable boron trichloride/Argon gas flow ratio.

Ultra-wide-view patterned polarizer type stereoscopic LCDs using patterned alignment.

The proposed patterned polarizer rather than the conventional ±λ/4 polarizer can further reduce the crosstalk through its corresponding glass for stereoscopic LCDs and can be fabricated by using the same patterned alignment technique. The patterned polarizer comprises a linear polarizer, a patterned retarder and a biaxial film. The maximum crosstalk ratio of the optimal design is reduced from 0.1 (for the conventional circular polarizer using ±λ/4 retarder and positive C film) to 0.016 (for the proposed structure) at ±60° viewing cone for the light obliquely passing through both the glasses and the LCD at the same angle. As to the light normally passing through both the LCD and glasses, the maximum crosstalk ratio can be reduced from 0.0167 to 0.0126 with rotated glasses.

Design of polarization-insensitive multi-electrode GRIN lens with a blue-phase liquid crystal.

We report the design and simulation results of an adaptive GRIN lens based on multi-electrode addressed blue phase liquid crystal. A high dielectric constant layer helps to smoothen out the horizontal electric field and reduce the operating voltage. Such a GRIN lens is insensitive to polarization while keeping parabolic phase profile as the focal length changes.

Microstructure and optical properties of Al2O3 prepared by oblique deposition using microsphere shell templates.

We fabricated an orderly inclined Al2O3 column array using a hollow microsphere template. The microstructure and optical properties were investigated with scanning electron micrography and a UV/VIS spectrometer, respectively. Microsphere shell templates were formed using atomic layer deposition to prevent the melting of polystyrene microspheres during the following high-temperature deposition process. An inclined Al2O3 column array with a 30° tilt angle was grown by oblique deposition on a substrate with a 75.5° tilt angle with respect to the substrate normal. Birefringence and photonic crystalline behavior can be observed in the orderly inclined column array. The difference in the refractive indices between the p and s polarizations of the orderly inclined Al2O3 column array was about 0.1. The photonic properties of the crystal were enhanced compared to those of substrates without patterns.

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia secondary to handlebar injury: a case report.

A traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) caused by a handlebar collision is very rare. It is difficult for the emergency physician to exclude the possibility of mesenteric or intestinal injuries when viewing handlebar trauma. Because TAWH may have no other clinical symptoms, early recognition and differentiation from haematoma is important. An unusual case of TAWH caused by a handlebar injury is reported, where a multi-layer muscular defect was found along with a segment of incarcerated jejunum and omentum. The latest literature is reviewed, and valuable ideas on the management of blunt abdominal trauma with TAWH are shared.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on ST36 and SP6 acupoints prevents hyperglycaemic response during anaesthesia: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hyperglycaemia is a common result of stress signals caused by pain and surgical procedure. Volatile anaesthetics also directly manipulate glucose homeostasis by affecting pancreatic insulin release and induce hyperglycaemia without surgical stress. We determined the preoperative application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to the Chinese acupoints ST36 (Zusanli) and SP6 (Sanyinjiao) as a complementary therapy for controlling plasma glucose and improving insulin resistance during anaesthesia. METHODS: We designed a single-blind, randomised controlled clinical study of female patients, scheduled for elective hysterectomy. The 52 patients consented to enrolment and were assigned to receive either TENS (n = 26) on bilateral ST36 and SP6 acupoints with continuous mode at a frequency of 15 Hz and the intensity of 10 mA synchronously for 30 min or non-stimulation (placebo group, n = 26) preoperatively. Haemodynamics, blood glucose and plasma insulin were measured during general anaesthesia. RESULTS: At baseline, there was no significant difference between the TENS group and the placebo group in plasma glucose and insulin levels as well as homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index. In the placebo group, plasma glucose, insulin and HOMA index increased during induction of general anaesthesia, surgical incision, and throughout the operation. Plasma glucose and insulin levels as well as HOMA index were significantly lower in the TENS group as compared to the placebo group at different time points after discontinuation of TENS application. These results indicate the positive effect of prevention of hyperglycaemia and the increased sensitivity of plasma insulin in the TENS group. CONCLUSION: We found TENS at bilateral ST36 and SP6 acupoints to be an alternative means of managing the plasma glucose level and improving insulin resistance perioperatively.

Mechanical properties of Pt-Ir and Ni-Ir binary alloys for glass-molding dies coating.

In this study, the different compositions of Pt-Ir and Ni-Ir alloys were deposited by utilizing ion source assisted magnetron sputtering system (ISAMSS). The surface roughness and crystallite size of the Pt-Ir and Ni-Ir coatings were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. In addition, coatings were soaked at 700 degrees and maintained 10 min under N2 atmosphere using a glass-molding machine. The annealed coatings for oxidation test were examined by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and for microhardness and reduced modulus test were evaluated by nanoindentation instrucment. The cross-sectional structures between the Pt-Ir and Ni-Ir coating layer and substrates were also examined by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The results show that surface roughness Ra from 1.25 nm to 3.426 nm was observed with increasing the Ni elements. However, the Ra is less than 2 nm measured in Ir-based coatings doped with Pt concentrations under this study. With increasing Pt and Ni doping, the microhardness of both coatings decreased significantly and the values of reduced modulus of Pt-Ir alloys are larger than that of Ni-Ir alloys. After oxidation process, the oxygen concentration of Pt-Ir coatings is less than that of Ni-Ir coatings and the Pt-Ir coatings exhibit superior properties including oxidation resistance, low surface roughness and high reduced modulus over Ni-Ir coatings, especially for the high Pt concentration coatings such as Pt-Ir 2 (55.25 at.% Pt) and Pt-Ir 3 (79.42 at.% Pt) coatings. The surface roughnesses of all specimens annealed at 700 degrees C were slightly larger than as-deposited coatings. Moreover, due to the serious oxidation occurred in Ni-Ir 3 (73.45 at.% Ni) coatings, the value of reduced modulus of this specimen coating is the lowest and the corrsponding Ra value is the largest compared with the rest of Ir-based coatings in the oxidation testing.

Application of skin electrical conductance of acupuncture meridians for ureteral calculus: a case report.

Renal colic is a common condition seen in the emergency department (ED). Our recent study showed that measures of electrical conductance may be used as supplementary diagnostic methods for patients with acute renal colic. Here, we describe the case of a 30-year-old male subject with a left ureteral calculus who presented with frequency and normal-looking urine. He had already visited the outpatient department, but in vain. Normal urinalysis and nonobstructive urogram were reported at that time. Two days later, he was admitted to the ED because of abdominal pain in the left lower quadrant. The urinalysis did not detect red blood cells. Ultrasonography did not indicate hydronephrosis. The meridian electrical conductance and index of sympathovagal balance were found to be abnormal. High level of electrical conductance on the left bladder meridian was found. An unenhanced helical computed tomography was scheduled to reveal a left ureterovesical stone. Ureteroscopic intervention was later uneventfully performed, and the patient's pain was relieved. The follow-up measurements showed that the meridian parameters had returned to normal one month after treatment. This case suggests that bladder meridian electrical conductance might be used as a supplemental method for ureteral calculus diagnosis.

Applications of meridian electrical conductance for renal colic: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Renal colic caused by ureteral stone is commonly encountered in the emergency department (ED). This study was designed to measure meridian electrical conductance of patients with ureteral stone in emergency settings. DESIGN: A cohort of patients who had ureteral calculus and acute renal colic and who had visited the ED was enrolled in this study. A device, the design of which is based on the Ryodoraku theory, was used to measure the meridian electrical conductance of patients in the ED. Sixty (60) patients (aged 42.0 +/- 12.6 years) who had a primary ED diagnosis of ureteral calculus or renal colic were enrolled. Thirty (30) healthy volunteers (aged 40.8 +/- 11.7 years) were recruited to serve as controls. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that (1) the average electrical conductance of the patient group was statistically lower than that of the control group (p < 0.01), (2) the average index of sympathovagal balance of the patient group was statistically higher than that of the control group (p < 0.01), (3) the average coefficient of variation of the electrical conductance and index of sympathovagal balance in the patient group was statistically different from that in the control group (p < 0.01), and (4) the patients who needed intervention had a higher autonomic nervous imbalance than the patients who had spontaneous stone passage (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Measures of electrical conductance, especially the index of sympathovagal balance, may be used as valuable supplementary diagnostic methods for selective intervention in patients with acute renal colic.

Designs of broadband and wide-view patterned polarizers for stereoscopic 3D displays.

This work presents a new methodology to design patterned circular polarizers consisting of in-cell polarizers, in-cell retarders and biaxial films to achieve very wide viewing freedom for stereoscopic 3D color LCDs. The biaxial films with least materials and simple fabrication concepts are employed for off-axis compensation of the in-cell retarders. In the best result, the crosstalk ratio is less than 0.035 or 0.0082 respectively for over ± 60° or ± 40° viewing cone of the 3D display. As to the normal view of the proposed structure with glasses or LCD rotation, the crosstalk ratio is less than 0.11%, with 93.5% improvement as compared with the ± λ/4 patterned polarizer. The dispersion properties of materials have been considered in all simulations to mimic real situations.

The formation of TiO(2) nanowires directly from nanoparticles.

TiO(2) nanowires were fabricated by annealing TiO(2) nanoparticles on silicon substrate at 1000 degrees C in air. When a polystyrene nanosphere monolayer was used as a template to separate the TiO(2) nanoparticles, they could more easily react with the silicon substrate to form Ti(5)Si(3). The TiO(2) nanowires were formed upon further oxidation of Ti(5)Si(3). The diameters and lengths of TiO(2) nanowires were 30-80 nm and 1-3 microm, respectively. The nanowires had a rutile structure with the growth direction [112]. It is believed that the formation of TiO(2) nanowires involved a precipitation process in the mixture of SiO(2) and TiO(2). The nanowires show different photoluminescence behavior from that of the powder.